"La Chanson de Roland" or "The Song of Roland" is the first great literary masterpiece of France. It was written anonymously around 1100 A.D. although most of this story is fictional, the French had little involvement in the reconquest of Spain against the Muslims, except for Battle of Roncevalles Pass which took place in 778 A.D. Under the leadership of Charlemagne, they pushed the "Saracens" away from France back to Spain. Charlemagne achieved uniting the majority of western and central Europe and was the first recognized emperor to rule from western Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire around three centuries earlier. Roland was one of Charlemagne's military governors, but la Chanson de Roland was embellished three centuries later.The story begins in Northern Spain after "Saracens", or Muslims overran the Visigoths to take control of Saragossa, the last stronghold city of Spain. The French army led by Roland, King Charlemagne's nephew, and captain of the rear-guard fights against the pagans. Marseille, the king of the Saracens wants Charlemagne to return to France and promises him treasure and his conversion to Christianity.Roland chooses his stepfather, Ganelon to go to the Saracens to accept Marsilie's offer of peace. However, Ganelon turns traitor against the Franks and is willing to attack the rear guard, which Roland commands.Olivier and the fierce archbishop Turpin accompany Roland to join him. Unfortunately, Roland blows his horn several times for help from the rest of the army, but he and many of his men die at the battle of Roncesvalles. Roland is sent to heaven.Upon seeing the bodies of Roland and his men, Charlemagne chases after the Saracens. Marsilie receives help from Baligant, who has arrived in Spain. But Charlemagne kills Baligant, and all the pagan army scatters. Now Saragossa has no defenders left; the Franks take the city. With Marsilie's wife Bramimonde, Charlemagne and his men ride back to Aix, their capital in France.Charlemagne recognizes Ganelon's betrayal. Ganelon's friend Pinabel challenges Thierry, a supporter of Roland, to trial by combat; the two will fight a duel to see who's right. By divine intervention, Thierry, the weaker man, wins, killing Pinabel. Ganelon is sentenced to death by being torn from limb to limb by galloping horses.
